About

Dr. White is an HIV health service researcher and a practicing infectious disease physician. Dr. White uses her “real world” clinical experience to inform her research. Her research focuses on the dynamic interface between public health and medicine. She was one of the leading physicians who described the association between the release of HIV-infected prisoners and the subsequent deleterious effect (increase) on their viral loads. This connection continues to have significant HIV-transmission and health outcome implications for at-risk populations in the community as well as released prisoners. Furthermore, along with others, she conducted the first randomized controlled trial of directly observed antiretroviral therapy vs. self-administered antiretroviral therapy in a state prison system. She also has participated in the implementation of the first ever HIV-opt out screening in the North Carolina state prison system. She is now expanding her research focus on the HIV at risk community, and her research interests span from HIV screening/testing to access and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in underserved populations. Her clinical interests include treatment of HIV infection and syphilis. She invites anyone interested in joining her research team to contact her.

Awards and Honors

• Adaora Adimora Citation Award – For Exemplary Contributions to Ending the HIV epidemic. ID Week, October 2025

In the news

• Starting Over, Staying Healthy: UNC Launches Study to Connect Women Leaving Prison with HIV Prevention 

  Chapel Hill, N.C. — Researchers at the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases recently held a launch retreat for a new study testing ways to connect women leaving prison with highly effective HIV prevention tools, including pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Led by Becky White, MD, MPH, infectious diseases physician and long‑time HIV clinician, the project focuses … Read more

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  At the Center of Change: An MPH Student in Action

  When epidemiology graduate student Nilkanth (Neil) Calimlim-Khot talks about his interests, his professional and personal experiences naturally intersect. As a study coordinator for HIV research with incarcerated individuals through the UNC School of Medicine’s Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, and an injury epidemiologist at the N.C. Office of Violence Prevention with partnerships at … Read more

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  Case Study Highlights Critical Need for Third‑Trimester Syphilis Screening in Carceral Settings to Prevent Congenital Syphilis 

  Chapel Hill, NC— A newly published case study in the Journal of Correctional Health Care urges immediate action to strengthen syphilis screening protocols for pregnant individuals in U.S. jails and prisons. Researchers at the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases recently published “Syphilis Screening Among Pregnant Individuals in Carceral Settings: Near Misses and a … Read more

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  ID Researchers Contribute to ID Week Conference

  This year’s ID Week will take place October 19-22, 2025, in Atlanta, GA. ID Week is the joint annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the HIV Medicine Association, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists. Following is a list of … Read more

Education